Readout Systems for Cryogenic Dark Matter Detectors

多项天文观测证实，宇宙中约85%的物质不是由已知粒子组成的。破译这种所谓的暗物质的本质对宇宙学、天体物理学和高能粒子物理学具有根本的重要性。一个主要的假设是，它是由相互作用很弱的大质量粒子组成的，这些粒子是在大爆炸后不久产生的。如果WIMP是暗物质，那么它们在我们银河系中的存在可能是通过位于深处的探测器中原子核的散射来检测到的，以帮助排除由于宇宙射线造成的背景。低温暗物质搜索(CDMS)合作开创了使用低温声子介导的探测器来探测WIMP在原子核上罕见的散射并将它们与背景区分开来的先河。这项工作将产生超越暗物质搜索的广泛影响。这些技术的发展将进一步推动声子介导型探测器的发展，声子介导型探测器已经在科学技术中找到了许多应用。该计划利用测量技术的前沿技术，支持PI小组中物理和电气工程本科生的教育和培训，该小组是一个多样化的群体，包括非传统和第一代大学生，以及在STEM学科中代表性不足的学生。PI参与了CU Denver‘s Mini-STEM School、当地Caf’e Science fique和当地K-8磁体学校的实地考察计划。该奖项将使PI和他的学生能够履行SuperCDMS Soudan和SuperCDMS SNOLAB项目的具体职责，包括对SuperCDMS Soudan的操作支持、SNOLAB的超导量子干涉器件(SQUID)表征和测试，以及在建造和初始调试期间的支持。计划的活动还包括一项适度的研发工作，以实现多路传输的鱿鱼读数，这是下一代暗物质直接探测努力所必需的。

Multiple astronomical observations have established that about 85% of the matter in the universe is not made of known particles. Deciphering the nature of this so-called Dark Matter is of fundamental importance to cosmology, astrophysics, and high-energy particle physics. A leading hypothesis is that it is comprised of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles, or WIMPs, that were produced moments after the Big Bang. If WIMPs are the dark matter, then their presence in our galaxy may be detectable via scattering from atomic nuclei in detectors located deep underground to help reject backgrounds due to cosmic rays.The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) Collaboration has pioneered the use of low temperature phonon-mediated detectors to detect the rare scattering of WIMPs on nuclei and distinguish them from backgrounds. This work will have a broad impact which extends beyond the dark matter search. The technical developments will further advance phonon-mediated detectors, which have already found many applications in science and technology.This program, working with techniques on the leading edge of measurement technology, supports education and training of physics and electrical engineering undergraduate students in the PI's group, a diverse body including non-traditional and first-generation college students, as well as students from groups underrepresented in STEM disciplines. The PI participates in the CU Denver's Mini-STEM school, the local Caf´e Scientifique, and a field trip program at a local K-8 magnet school.This award will enable the PI and his students to fulfill specific responsibilities for both SuperCDMS Soudan and SuperCDMS SNOLAB projects, including operations support for SuperCDMS Soudan, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) characterization and testing for SNOLAB, and support during construction and initial commissioning. Planned activities also include a modest R&D effort toward multiplexed SQUID readout, required for the next-generation dark matter direct detection efforts.